Urban Sketching
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in the moment
There one minute and gone the next... the world is constantly changing and you are trying to give an accurate representation of that place at that time. on locatioN
You have to be there. A place feels different when you are actually sitting taking it in and your sketch will reflect that. choosing what is important
While you are supposed portray your subject accurately, you get to choose what you spend your time adding details to. Everything you see shouldn't get the same weight and attention. Some of my favorite sketches actively make a choice. Seeing SHapes
Working exclusively on location typically means I need to work faster. Instead of seeing bushes and buildings, I try to see the circles, triangles, and rectangles. Shapes are easier to draw than a building as a whole. In fact sometimes just the basic shape is enough to tell a whole story. recording your life
I love photography, but one sketch easily replaces dozens of my pictures. That means less digital cutter and a more meaningful record of my life. joining a community
There's an international community of Urban Sketchers. You'll be able to find local groups almost everywhere you go. My local group is Urban Sketchers Bremerton. While we are a newer group, I really enjoy this friendly and encouraging collection of emerging and experienced artists. fresh air
Sure you can sketch from in your car on a rainy day or inside a cafe, but Urban Sketching typically gets me out in the fresh air. Such a great excuse to go for a walk and be out in the world! medium limiting?
There aren't any rules about what medium you use, but not everything is portable. Watercolor brings the magic to the page and dries quickly enough. But I've seen some great colored pencil, marker, and gouche too! |
Reference Photo Sketching
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Any time and taking your time
While it is great to do things in the moment, we don't always have the time. Taking a quick photo for reference gives you the opportunity to take as much time as you need... later. anywhere
Maybe there is no where comfortable to sit. Maybe it smells horrible. Using a photo for reference will take your sketches places that you otherwise would miss out on. choosing what is important
Some of these examples are of sketches done 15 years after the photographs were taken. I can't remember what I thought was important then and now I get to step back and choose an entirely different focus. Any medium
No need to worry about dry time here. You can use that easily breakable glass dip pen! You are in your space and you don't need to worry about how to pack it around with you. recording your life
Scrapbooking is a great way to interact with memories and preserve them for the future. Sketching is also a way of packaging these same memories... perhaps in an even more hands on way. joining a community
Social media is full of hashtags and groups all sketching from the same reference photos. What a great way to connect with other artists around the globe and see so many unique styles. at the art desk
I love being in my space (a corner of my living room). My reference books are handy. I can use any of my fountain pen inks and my full palette of watercolors. All my brushes are present and accounted for. If I want to stop mid project, scan it, and switch over to working digitally; I can do that too. sourcing reference photos
Copyright laws and how they apply to using a photo as a reference are complicated. If you take the picture yourself, you are all good. If you didn't, it is best to find a site where you can get pictures released for use as reference photos. |
Keeping a Sketchbook
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recording your thoughts
This is a great way to get all the things out of your head and onto paper. This can be with words and/or pictures. You don't need to share with anyone. This is a safe place. flexible and fun
While Urban Sketching seems to have set guidelines, your sketchbook does not. At times the freedom to do anything becomes a stumbling block and nothing happens. Maybe you can work without prompt, but some of my favorites include:
no context needed
If you want to draw a puppy, just draw a puppy. You don't have to draw the floor under the puppy or the room the puppy is sitting in. Do we love context? YES, but this is your sketchbook. Have fun! multiple drafts
Are you going to love the first fish you draw? Probably not. But if you keep drawing fish, you will get better. Your brain will start to map out what a fish looks like. It will get easier and then you can have more fun because you aren't so focused on getting it right. When you put it all in a sketchbook, you get to look back and enjoy your progress. CREATING HABITS
I LOVE habits. Most of the good things I've done and continue to do in my life are linked to habits. Keeping a sketchbook or journal is a great habit. enjoying a layout
Yes you can just fill a page without thought. However, laying out your page in a pleasing way can enhance your enjoyment of your sketch. Liz Steel really rocks layout driven sketching. She does an amazing job of sharing and teaching layouts on her blog. Practicing Skills
Want to practice color mixing? Great! That's what sketchbooks are for. Want to practice painting with coffee? Working through a great "how to" book?Great! That's what sketchbooks are for. If you can think of it, this is the place to practice. |
